The Former Trump Presidency Thread

[RunningMn9]

It’s no secret that Ivanka Trump is very committed to having a climate policy

Ummm....

[El Guapo]

It’s no secret that Ivanka Trump is very committed to having a climate policy

Ummm....

Other than doing everything she can to get a climate change-denying nominee of a climate change denying political party elected president, she is *very* committed to having a climate change policy.

I mean, it makes all the sense in the world for climate change activists (including Gore) to engage with the Trump administration to see if there is anything positive that can be done. On other issues horrible Trump policy can be reversed over time - with climate change that's not necessarily the case (permanent damage can be done before Trump leaves office).

But, given that Trump has already promoted climate deniers as his environmental advisers and now EPA chief nominee, that's entirely inconsistent with reversing his environmental campaign promises.

[Jeff V]

But, given that Trump has already promoted climate deniers as his environmental advisers and now EPA chief nominee, that's entirely inconsistent with reversing his environmental campaign promises.

??? I thought Trump promised total war against the environment? This is entirely within keeping of his campaign promises. Or maybe I'm missing a double-negative implied somewhere?

[El Guapo]

But, given that Trump has already promoted climate deniers as his environmental advisers and now EPA chief nominee, that's entirely inconsistent with reversing his environmental campaign promises.

??? I thought Trump promised total war against the environment? This is entirely within keeping of his campaign promises. Or maybe I'm missing a double-negative implied somewhere?

I suppose it is a double-negative of sorts. It's inconsistent with Trump reversing his campaign promises to destroy the environment.

[Holman]

We all know how this goes. Trump will use "I met with Al Gore..." to claim bipartisan credit the next time a reporter asks him about the environment. He'll also use "I met with Al Gore..." as a boo-line at an upcoming rally in coal country. He gets the best of both worlds.

Meanwhile, Trump's EPA will approve fracking in schoolyards.

[Jeff V]

But, given that Trump has already promoted climate deniers as his environmental advisers and now EPA chief nominee, that's entirely inconsistent with reversing his environmental campaign promises.

??? I thought Trump promised total war against the environment? This is entirely within keeping of his campaign promises. Or maybe I'm missing a double-negative implied somewhere?

I suppose it is a double-negative of sorts. It's inconsistent with Trump reversing his campaign promises to destroy the environment.

Gotcha! I already put this in the "campaign promise fulfilled" column on the list I posted a few weeks ago.

[$iljanus]

Meanwhile, Trump's EPA will approve fracking in schoolyards.

Think of it as an alternative revenue stream for schools, like soda machines.

[RunningMn9]

I suppose my point was that I don't think I (or we) give a frog's fat ass what Ivanka Trump's thoughts are on climate policy. No one elected her.

[El Guapo]

I suppose my point was that I don't think I (or we) give a frog's fat ass what Ivanka Trump's thoughts are on climate policy. No one elected her.

No, but by most accounts she's in Trump's inner circle, so what she thinks is likely to have a significant impact on what Trump thinks. So it actually is consequential what Ivanka Trump thinks about climate policy.

[Rip]

I suppose my point was that I don't think I (or we) give a frog's fat ass what Ivanka Trump's thoughts are on climate policy. No one elected her.

I would have to agree, just like I don't give a frog's ass what Michelle Obama thinks my kids should eat at school.

Unfortunately there seems to be a number of people who think otherwise. Hopefully in 2017 kids will no longer be pushed to eat like rabbits.

[LordMortis]

I suppose my point was that I don't think I (or we) give a frog's fat ass what Ivanka Trump's thoughts are on climate policy. No one elected her.

At the same time, Gore did not meet with her. He met with DJT and said nice things after. If he had met with IT, then I would have glossed over it.

[Alefroth]

I suppose my point was that I don't think I (or we) give a frog's fat ass what Ivanka Trump's thoughts are on climate policy. No one elected her.

She's Donald's pick for first lady.

[Alefroth]

I suppose my point was that I don't think I (or we) give a frog's fat ass what Ivanka Trump's thoughts are on climate policy. No one elected her.

At the same time, Gore did not meet with her. He met with DJT and said nice things after. If he had met with IT, then I would have glossed over it.

He met with her first.

[Smoove_B]

I suppose my point was that I don't think I (or we) give a frog's fat ass what Ivanka Trump's thoughts are on climate policy. No one elected her.

and yet:

Under a plan now being considered by the Trump family and its lawyers, Ivanka Trump, Mr. Trump’s elder daughter, would also take a leave of absence from the Trump Organization, in the surest sign that she is exploring a potential move to Washington with her husband, Jared Kushner. Mr. Kushner is discussing an as-yet undetermined role advising his father-in-law, and Ms. Trump plans on being an advocate on issues in which she has a personal interest, like child care.

So his wife will remain in NYC with their son and his daughter and son-in-law will randomly be moving to Washington? Makes sense.

In closing:

While it is unclear what structure Mr. Trump proposes to set up to wall himself off from decision-making, the continuing involvement of two of his children in the business would complicate matters. And for a trust to be truly blind, experts say that the assets would have to be liquidated — and that Mr. Trump, who will be the wealthiest president in American history, would have to have no knowledge of how the proceeds were invested.

I cannot wait to hear what he's planning on 12/15. Can.Not.Wait.

[LordMortis]

I suppose my point was that I don't think I (or we) give a frog's fat ass what Ivanka Trump's thoughts are on climate policy. No one elected her.

At the same time, Gore did not meet with her. He met with DJT and said nice things after. If he had met with IT, then I would have glossed over it.

He met with her first.

In my usual inability to see the whole picture, I don't see where that was detailed at all.

[Paingod]

I cannot wait to hear what he's planning on 12/15. Can.Not.Wait.

Indeed. It should be interesting.

Somehow I had forgotten that the Electoral College still hasn't done it's thing, and they convene on 12/19. One article I read suggested the 12/15 date is a reaction to some kind of fear that they won't actually elect him and will instead elect someone else because of his financial shenanigans. At this point, monkeys with grenades can't do worse, and I'm really hoping the Republicans as a whole can pull themselves out of the gutter and stop his presidency before it begins. I have no faith in this, just a glimmer of hope.

I'm pretty sure I've read that some states have laws about requiring the electors to vote according to the people's ballot, and invalidating their votes if they don't... but I desperately wish they'd try.

[El Guapo]

Sorry, what's the significance of 12/15?

[LordMortis]

Pay day?

[Defiant]

Sorry, what's the significance of 12/15?

[Smoove_B]

Sorry, what's the significance of 12/15?

His first press conference.

EDIT: I can only assume the blank message above mine contains the actual Tweet from His Nibs.

[Defiant]

EDIT: I can only assume the blank message above mine contains the actual Tweet from His Nibs.

Yeah

[Defiant]

Trump Considers FDA Chief Who Says People Should Use Medicines “At Their Own Risk”

[El Guapo]

Sorry, what's the significance of 12/15?

Probable lies.

Gotcha. There is about a 1% chance that he actually meaningfully divests himself of his conflicts. He almost certainly just elevates his kids to running the day-to-day.

[Max Peck]

Trump gets one presidential intelligence briefing a week

President-elect Donald Trump is receiving an average of one presidential intelligence briefing a week, according to U.S. officials familiar with the matter, far fewer than most of his recent predecessors.

Although they are not required to, presidents-elect have in the past generally welcomed the opportunity to receive the President's Daily Brief (PDB), the most highly classified and closely held document in the government, on a regular basis.

It was not immediately clear why Trump has decided not to receive the intelligence briefings available to President Barack Obama more frequently, or whether that has made any difference in his presidential preparations. Trump's spokespeople did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Trump has asked for at least one briefing, and possibly more, from intelligence agencies on specific subjects, one of the officials said. The source declined to identify what subjects interested the president-elect, but said that so far they have not included Russia or France.

Indiana Governor Mike Pence, Trump's vice president-elect, has been receiving his own PDB at least six days a week, the sources familiar with the matter said.

Former Central Intelligence Agency briefer David Priess, the author of a book about PDBs, said that traditionally, Trump and Pence's predecessors sat for "daily or near-daily intelligence briefings" between their elections and their inaugurations.

Low energy. Sad.

[Defiant]

Trump gets one presidential intelligence briefing a week

President-elect Donald Trump is receiving an average of one presidential intelligence briefing a week, according to U.S. officials familiar with the matter, far fewer than most of his recent predecessors.

Although they are not required to, presidents-elect have in the past generally welcomed the opportunity to receive the President's Daily Brief (PDB), the most highly classified and closely held document in the government, on a regular basis.

It was not immediately clear why Trump has decided not to receive the intelligence briefings available to President Barack Obama more frequently, or whether that has made any difference in his presidential preparations. Trump's spokespeople did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Trump has asked for at least one briefing, and possibly more, from intelligence agencies on specific subjects, one of the officials said. The source declined to identify what subjects interested the president-elect, but said that so far they have not included Russia or France.

Indiana Governor Mike Pence, Trump's vice president-elect, has been receiving his own PDB at least six days a week, the sources familiar with the matter said.

Former Central Intelligence Agency briefer David Priess, the author of a book about PDBs, said that traditionally, Trump and Pence's predecessors sat for "daily or near-daily intelligence briefings" between their elections and their inaugurations.

Low energy. Sad.

On Facebook, someone suggested that SNL add an intelligence briefing, so that at least he'd watch a briefing then.

[Max Peck]

On Facebook, someone suggested that SNL add an intelligence briefing, so that at least he'd watch a briefing then.

The last SNL cold open was eerily on the mark.

[$iljanus]

Trump gets one presidential intelligence briefing a week

President-elect Donald Trump is receiving an average of one presidential intelligence briefing a week, according to U.S. officials familiar with the matter, far fewer than most of his recent predecessors.

Although they are not required to, presidents-elect have in the past generally welcomed the opportunity to receive the President's Daily Brief (PDB), the most highly classified and closely held document in the government, on a regular basis.

It was not immediately clear why Trump has decided not to receive the intelligence briefings available to President Barack Obama more frequently, or whether that has made any difference in his presidential preparations. Trump's spokespeople did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Trump has asked for at least one briefing, and possibly more, from intelligence agencies on specific subjects, one of the officials said. The source declined to identify what subjects interested the president-elect, but said that so far they have not included Russia or France.

Indiana Governor Mike Pence, Trump's vice president-elect, has been receiving his own PDB at least six days a week, the sources familiar with the matter said.

Former Central Intelligence Agency briefer David Priess, the author of a book about PDBs, said that traditionally, Trump and Pence's predecessors sat for "daily or near-daily intelligence briefings" between their elections and their inaugurations.

Low energy. Sad.

No worries. I'm sure the SVR RF gets him up to speed.

[Jolor]

Meanwhile, Trump's EPA will approve fracking in schoolyards.

But only if the teacher is hot. At least a 9. Otherwise: gross.

[Ralph-Wiggum]

Well this is horrifying:

The Trump transition team has issued a list of 74 questions for the Energy Department, asking officials there to identify which department employees and contractors have worked on forging an international climate pact as well as domestic efforts to cut the nation’s carbon output.

The questionnaire requests a list of those individuals who have taken part in international climate talks over the past five years and “which programs within DOE are essential to meeting the goals of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan.”

One question zeroed in on the issue of the “social cost of carbon,” a way of calculating the consequences of greenhouse gas emissions. The transition team asked for a list of department employees or contractors who attended interagency meetings, the dates of the meetings, and emails and other materials associated with them.

The questionnaire also appeared to take aim at the national laboratories, which operate with a high degree of independence but which are part of the Energy Department. The questionnaire asked for a list of the top 20 salaried employees of the labs, the labs’ peer-reviewed publications over the past three years, a list of their professional society memberships, affiliations, and the websites they maintain or contribute to “during work hours.”

[The Meal]

I wanted that link to take me to The Onion.

[em2nought]

In recognition of how butt hurt y'all still are http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/c ... 90828.html I have removed the "deplorable" sticker from my car window. That and the fact y'all are crazy and might still break my window a full month later.

[Skinypupy]

In recognition of how butt hurt y'all still are http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/c ... 90828.html I have removed the "deplorable" sticker from my car window. That and the fact y'all are crazy and might still break my window a full month later.

As always, thanks for your nuanced and insightful contribution to the discussion.

[Smoove_B]

Furnaces, Donald. They make furnaces.

That's picking just to pick.

Carrier sells air conditioners and the brand is enhanced even if it's a dog and pony show.

Sure, but if he's going to make a big public spectacle about how he swooped in and singlehandedly saved all these jobs, he should at least know what those jobs actually are.

I agree it's a minor nitpick.

So let's check back in and see what's actually going to happen:

As part of the deal President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence struck with Carrier, the company has promised to make a $16 million investment in its Indianapolis facility — an investment management plans to use on developing technology that will allow them to replace human workers with robots.

The company’s plans were confirmed by Greg Hayes, CEO of United Technologies, Carrier’s corporate parent, during a CNBC interview earlier this week.

So jobs were still saved then, right?

We’re going to… automate to drive the cost down so that we can continue to be competitive,” Hayes said. “Is it as cheap as moving to Mexico with lower cost labor? No. But we will make that plant competitive just because we’ll make the capital investments there. But what that ultimately means is there will be fewer jobs.”

Insert Henry Rollins Liar picture here, ha ha ha, sucker, sucker, etc...

[em2nought]

In recognition of how butt hurt y'all still are http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/c ... 90828.html I have removed the "deplorable" sticker from my car window. That and the fact y'all are crazy and might still break my window a full month later.

As always, thanks for your nuanced and insightful contribution to the discussion.

Always a pleasure!

[Defiant]

Kellyanne Conway on Friday defended President-elect Donald Trump's decision to remain an executive producer on NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice" even as he takes office, arguing that "presidents have a right to do things in their spare time."

link

[tgb]

So is he saying he won't remain Executive Producer, or that he plans to do nothing to earn his paycheck?

[Defiant]

So is he saying he won't remain Executive Producer, or that he plans to do nothing to earn his paycheck?

I suspect that he plans to do nothing to earn his paycheck, since he says he has a big stake in it:

[RunningMn9]

What spare time?

[Defiant]

What spare time?

In between delegating everything that involves doing work to his VP and Making America Great Again!

[tgb]

Shall we start a pool on how many "surprise appearances" he makes throughout the season?